British Friendly CEO to step down in May

British Friendly has announced its chief executive will be leaving the society in May, after two and a half years in the role.

Iain Clark will be on gardening leave until he steps down in May, with Lee Schopp, chief financial officer at British Friendly for the past eight years, replacing him as interim chief executive.

Mr Clark joined British Friendly as distribution and marketing director in September 2015 before becoming chief executive of the society in December 2016.

He said when he joined the society was looking to develop and advance its products and propositions to secure the future for its members.

He said: "I set myself a personal target to effect change within a given time period and I am happy to leave the company in a strong position from which it can thrive.

"I would like to thank all those within the society and outside British Friendly who have supported the society and I wish everyone in British Friendly the very best for the future."

A British Friendly spokesperson said the society’s membership had increased by more than 50 per cent under Mr Clark’s leadership and had "significantly improved" its balance sheet strength.

Chris Radford, chairman of British Friendly, said: "The board would like to thank Iain for how he has led the society’s growth during his tenure. It has been a period of significant change and he leaves the society with our very best wishes."